Ballina Shire Council is constructing a new permanent roundabout at the intersection of Byron Bay Road and Byron Street The new roundabout will replace the existing T-intersection and improve traffic flow and safety This significant project is expected to be completed by the end of June 2025 it is vital we invest in infrastructure that not only meets current needs but also ensures the safety of all residents The new roundabout will improve traffic flow but more importantly it will provide a safer commute for motorists This $1.53 million project is proudly funded through the Australian Government Black Spot Program.  although there will be no full road closures Traffic control will be in place from 7am to 6pm with the area speed limit reduced to 40 km/h to ensure safety Some nightworks may be required during the project Council will provide further information as the project progresses The works will be completed in four broad stages The temporary roundabout has been removed and the intersection has temporarily reverted back to a t-intersection for stages 1 to 3 of the works This will allow Council crews to complete the project more quickly and ensure the arterial road remains open Council crews will make every effort to minimise disruption and appreciate the community's patience as we undertake these essential upgrades Timeframe: February to end of March 2025 Traffic arrangement: Temporary T-intersection. Motorists exiting Byron Street must stop (at the stop sign) before entering Byron Bay Road Byron Bay Road motorists travelling north must give way to south-bound traffic when entering Byron Street. Traffic control is in place to help direct traffic Motorists are asked to follow traffic signage and slow down to 40km/h.  Traffic arrangement: Temporary T-intersection Motorists exiting Byron Street must stop (at the stop sign) before entering Byron Bay Road. Byron Bay Road motorists travelling north must give way to south-bound traffic when entering Byron Street.Traffic control is in place to help direct traffic Motorists are asked to follow traffic signage and slow down to 40km/h Work area: Western side of intersection Traffic arrangement: Roundabout. Motorists must follow normal roundabout road rules and give way to vehicles already in the roundabout Scope of works: Roundabout construction shared path connection for pedestrians and cyclists This map outlines the work areas and order they will be completed across this project.  Note: These design concepts are subject to change More Contact Information We Want Your Feedback Report an Issue events and project updates straight to your inbox Subscribe to eNews Ballina Shire Council acknowledges that we are here on the land of the Bundjalung people The Bundjalung are the traditional owners of this land and are part of the oldest surviving continuous culture in the world The Far North Coast Rugby Union season wrapped up its ANZAC round yesterday the Ballina Seahorses meant business…defeating the Lennox Head Trojans in a one-way annihilation This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Ballina Shire Council will offer land in Lennox Head to NSW Police for a police station BALLINA Shire Council will offer land at Lennox Head to NSW Police for a new station overturning a decision made before the September election The site on the corner of Byron Bay Road and Hutley Drive had been earmarked for a preschool but the centre will now be located within the new Lennox Head Primary School development Councillors resolved in August to reject a proposal to gift NSW Police the land on the condition it build a police station there they requested a report on future options for the land and a greater police presence in Lennox Head and Simon Chate lodged a rescission motion against the decision at the October meeting Cr Ramsey said she brought the rescission motion as four councillors were absent from the original vote “I want us to delve into it so that all of the people in the community know we have done our best to get some sort of policing in this area.” which was next to the Lennox Head Rural Fire Service shed was the ideal location for a police station in an area with a growing population and it was worth exploring whether the police would take up the offer She said having emergency services nearby could make a “life and death difference” in some instances Cr Dicker said the community wanted a police station in the town and they needed to explore the possibility of it being a police station while the land was still available Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism Yasmin Catley said that most crime rates in Lennox Head had remained stable over the past two years Cr Phil Meehan said the reality was the police station “was not going to happen” as the crime rates in the town didn’t warrant it He said the land size and ongoing resourcing needed to staff the station would prohibit a it from being built at the site saying Ballina was already 60 police officers short She said it was cost-shifting from the state to local government to offer the land at a peppercorn rent Councillors resolved to offer the land to NSW Police By Eliza Wregg first published at 26 November 2024 - 9:13 am Check your tickets NSW video interview available here Check your tickets NSW audio interview available here A Lennox Heads resident or visitor is waking up a newly minted millionaire after pocketing $1 million in last night’s Weekday Windfall draw The mystery millionaire held one of the four division one winning entries nationally in Weekday Windfall draw 4473 Each division one entry took home $1 million If the winner had been part of The Lott Members Club and registered their ticket to a player card or online account officials from The Lott would have already alerted the player to their newfound fortune officials are eagerly waiting for the mystery ticketholder to check their ticket and come forward The winning entry was purchased at TSG Lennox Head The Lott spokesperson Eliza Wregg said she hoped to unite the Northern River’s latest division one winner with their million-dollar windfall soon “Our mystery ticketholder is likely oblivious to the fact that they’ve woken up as a millionaire this morning following last night’s Weekday Windfall draw,” she said “We’re urging anybody who purchased a Weekday Windfall ticket from TSG Lennox Head to check their tickets today “Just imagine the thrill of discovering you are an overnight millionaire Your plans for the rest of the year would surely change in a heartbeat and if you discover you are holding the winning ticket contact The Lott on 131 868 to begin the exciting prize claim process “This is also an important reminder for players to register their lottery tickets to a player card or online account with The Lott Members Club we can reach out to them with the winning news.” The winning numbers in Weekday Windfall draw 4473 on Monday 25 November 2024 were 12 while the supplementary numbers were 23 and 25 there were four division one winning entries in Weekday Windfall draw 4473 – one each in New South Wales The Lott’s division one winning tally has now reached 400 so far in 2024 including 115 won by NSW Lotteries customers In FY24, Weekday Windfall (formerly Monday & Wednesday Lotto) created 98 millionaires across Australia During this time, there were 108 division one winning Weekday Windfall (formerly Monday & Wednesday Lotto) entries across Australia Pedestrian and vehicle accesses to Seven Mile Beach between Broken Head and Lennox Head will be closed this weekend The reason for this is so Byron Shire Council staff can remove the carcass of a humpback whale that was buried high in the dunes on Seven Mile Beach after it washed up on the beach in July 2023 stripped the beach of a lot of sand and the carcass has been exposed It is unpleasant and a potential health hazard In 2023 the whale was buried in the dunes after consultation with NPWS Arakwal and the Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council Byron Shire Council is again working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the carcass is either reburied or disposed of accordingly Byron Shire Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land the Minjungbal people and the Widjabul Wia-Bal people of the Bundjalung Nation and we pay our respects to Elders past and present After more contact information? Visit Lot 12 Bayshore Drive – Roundabout Construction Parking Permit Types & Supporting Documents fed5f177-b12e-417c-b31d-079d227f6197 Community Plan Changes to what goes in your green bin Delays to Development Application Assessment times ' + noBrDesc.replace(/(\r\n|\r|\n){2}((\r\n|\r|\n)+)?/g Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made a stop on the North Coast announcing funding for crime prevention measures for Tweed But Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan says Lismore feels forgotten – the P-M not having visited the area since the 2022 floods Connor O’Leary has advanced to the next round of the Bells Beach Pro The Lennox Head product had his work cut out for him as he opened his campaign 4WD vehicles are required to purchase and have a valid permit to access the beach track and onto Seven Mile Beach Vehicles holding a valid permit are allowed from the access track onto Seven Mile Beach North to the boundary with Byron Shire Our coastal beaches provide many important and irreplaceable ecosystem services These services include erosion control and protection from storms Beaches also provide spaces for recreation and visual amenity The use of 4WDs on beaches can impact the health of our coastal ecosystems The use of 4WDs within the foredunes physically destroys the structure of the dunes and accelerates erosion plant species richness and habitat quality are significantly reduced.  Rutting and compaction of sand from 4WD use on sandy beaches is associated with significantly lower abundance and species richness of macroinvertebrates This includes species that are used as an indicator of ecosystem health Beaches in Ballina provide feeding and nesting sites for birds including threatened species such as the little tern The use of 4WDs in these areas can cause direct mortality to birds and hatchlings and disrupt foraging and parental care Foredunes provide nesting sites for threatened turtles in Ballina Wheel ruts can prevent turtle hatchlings from reaching the water If you choose to drive on the beach you should seek to minimise your impact and always: Council reserves the right to withdraw permits from vehicles where it is determined by an Authorised Officer that there has been a breach of the 4WD Vehicles on Seven Mile Beach Policy Authorised Officers could be representatives from: The beach access point is continually monitored via a 24/7 surveillance camera Vehicles without a valid permit who access the 4WD track and beach may be issued with a fine Fines exceeding $110 to $1,100 may be issued for breaches Report malicious damage and illegal incidents to Council Rangers on 6686 1210 (business hours), 6626 6954 (after hours) or Ballina Police on 000 EasyPark app Report malicious damage and illegal incidents to: Ballina Shire Council acknowledges that we are here on the land of the Bundjalung people. The Bundjalung are the traditional owners of this land and are part of the oldest surviving continuous culture in the world. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. More than 100 budding athletes from across the Northern Rivers have given a new sport a try today, in the Girls Day Out Festival at Lennox Head. The initiative aims to increase female participation in sport, and provides an opportunity for young girls to try out different disciplines. A push to build a police station in Lennox Head has been revived. But concerns remain over how resources will be managed – amid an ongoing shortage of officers. Connor O’Leary has advanced to the next round of the W-S-L El Salvador Pro. The Lennox Head surfer remained consistent in the opening round, to secure his heat win over high ranking competitors. When it comes to comedians, there aren’t many names bigger than Arj Barker. Tonight, the global superstar will hit the stage in Lennox Head – providing plenty of laughs and like always a few gasps. Lismore residents couldn't help feeling snubbed after the Prime Minister made a whirlwind visit to Lennox Head yesterday Any news watcher would know the 2025 Federal Election campaign is ramping up even though the election has not been formally declared Australians must go to the polls on or before Saturday Labor needs to lose only two seats to lose its majority in the House of Representatives while the Liberal/National Coalition need to win 19 seats to claim a majority victory Experts are forecasting a minority government as the likely outcome This depends on the results of key marginal seats The NSW Electoral Commission classifies a seat as marginal if it is under 56% It is considered 'fairly safe' between 56 and 60% and 'safe' above 60% we have two electorates: Page and Richmond Page would be considered 'safe' for sitting National Party Member Kevin Hogan as he achieved 60.74% in the 2022 election two-party preferred while Richmond sits in the 'fairly safe' classification when Labor's Justin Elliot recorded 58% of the two-party preferred result in 2022 It is easy to argue that both Richmond and Page will not see a lot of money splashed about in their electorates it would be nice to see the Prime Minister or the Opposition Leader in the Page electorate during this campaign Lismore and the Northern Rivers was hit by the most costly natural disaster in Australia's history Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in Lennox Head yesterday giving $3 million for a North Coast Crime Prevention Action Plan This included $1 million for Ballina Shire Council $1 million for Byron Shire Council and $1 million for the Tweed Shire Council to invest in CCTV fencing and landscaping to improve community safety While the Labor held seat received a visit and the $3 million despite the PM last making an appearance in North Lismore in October 2022 to announce the $800 million Resilient Homes Program with then NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet Casino and Kyogle's crime rate has been a community problem for most of the last 12 months and also deserves support It is that time of the three-year election cycle where politics gets in the way of supporting each community on its merits Lennox Head Surf Club is gearing up for the Byron Bay Nippers carnival this weekend The 83- strong team will compete across a program of events…with their eyes set on securing a place on the podium Lennox Head Nippers have returned home to the North Coast after a successful performance at the State Country Championships near Wollongong Despite being faced with some challenging conditions the small team came away with a number of podium finishes This project will raise portions of Ross Lane and includes improved flow for Deadmans Creek under it. This is the final stage of the Ross Lane/ Byron Bay Road upgrades Council has completed a concept design for various levels of flood immunity Designers are exploring two different levels of flood immunity and each may have the creek crossing as either a bridge or culvert. Once designs are further progressed consultation with neighbouring properties and key stakeholders will commence Council hopes to commence works in late 2025 The RRTRP program strengthens the regional transport network’s capacity to withstand natural disasters. To learn more visit nswroads.work/rrtrp The Christmas Carols and other major events will be highlighted at the Lennox Head Community Connections Expo on Saturday A NEW community expo will aim to revive Ballina Shire community groups in desperate need of volunteers The Lennox Head Community Connections Expo will focus on groups who are looking to recruit new members It will be held at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Saturday It is the brainchild of Ballina Shire B ward councillors Michelle Bailey The event comes after the local Country Women’s Association branch at Lennox Head disbanded last year The Christmas carols at Williams Reserve were also cancelled with a lack of volunteers cited as one of the main reasons “A lot of these groups are starting to run out of volunteers,” Cr Ramsey said “This is a chance for people to come down and see what’s out there We have a lot of new people that have moved to the area; they simply might not know how much is out there.” and a variety of sports clubs will be at the event More groups are being encouraged to register for a stall They can bring props and equipment to showcase what they have to offer The return of the Christmas carols is expected to be one of the major talking points hopefully we get some conversations going towards bringing that back,” Cr Ramsey said “Another big thing is communication and how we can be kept in the loop with what’s going on Some of the groups can be difficult to get in contact with It just might be that positions in the club have changed and the new group has not updated the contact details We’re reaching out to find out what these groups offer and what we can do to assist.” with registration forms available on the expo’s Facebook page The Coast Road closure at Lennox Head is expected to last four weeks Ballina Shire Council has announced the works will last about four weeks and will occur on the section of The Coast Road between Pat Morton Lookout and the North Creek Road/Byron Bay Road roundabout Pat Morton Lookout will be accessible to motorists but there will be no through access to Lennox Head during the work period Drivers will be diverted to a detour via Skennars Head Road and North Creek Road The North Creek Road roundabout at Ballina Street will provide Lennox Head town centre access Existing pedestrian access around Pat Morton Lookout Lennox Headland and the surrounding shared pathways will be maintained, as will walking access to the beaches and coastline The new project is a separate repair to the damaged road shoulder on the southbound lane near Pat Morton Lookout The landslip repair at this site will be supported by natural disaster funding recently approved by the NSW Government This reconstruction is currently in the initial design phase and is not anticipated to begin until late 2025 The Coast Road project is funded by the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and includes a complete pavement restoration with new pavement and bitumen resurfacing Ballina Council has apologised to drivers for the inconvenience caused during the essential maintenance and has thanked the community for its patience and understanding Works are expected to be completed by mid-December depending upon weather and site conditions For general information on this project and other road closures, visit livetraffic.com A Lennox Heads resident or visitor is a newly minted millionaire The winning entry was purchased at TSG Lennox Head said she hoped to unite the Northern River’s latest division one winner with their million-dollar windfall soon The winning numbers in Weekday Windfall draw 4473 on Monday 25 November 2024 were 12 Richmond District Police are investigating after a bowling club’s greens were poisoned following a number of incidents at Lennox Head The club’s grounds keeper saying the damage will cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair Some of the world’s best and most exciting grommet surfers will call Lennox Head home this week when the Skullcandy Oz Grom Open kicks off This six-day event will run from 4 July – 9 July 2024 and will comprise of a World Surf League (WSL) sanctioned Pro Junior Qualifying Series event as well as an elite competition for promising grommets in the 14 In a similar vein to previous years – where the event has attracted surfers from ten different countries – a full international field is again expected in 2024 with surfers coming from as far away as Europe Indonesia and Japan to make up a field of more than 200 surfers across all divisions “I’m so pumped for this event to begin,” said 2023 Skullcandy Pro Junior Champion Marlon Harrison “The forecast for this year is looking incredible and I think some super exciting surfing will take place I really hope I can string it together and get another win under my belt and go back-to-back.” 4th July) will see competitors in the 14s and 16s hit the water while the Pro Junior divisions will hit the water on day two Former event competitors include a range of current and former World Championship Tour and Challenger Series surfers Jack Robinson and local surfers Ocea Curtis and Nyxie Ryan All event divisions will be broadcast live worldwide on skullcandyozgromopen.com.au EventsEvents NewsRule Book (2024) CoachingJudgingOfficiatingRenewalsSport IntegrityHelp Resources High Performance CentreHigh Performance ProgramHigh Performance Academy AboutIrukandjis News About  Login to your profile or Sign up to our new Surfing Portal Head to your Surfing Portal to purchase or renew memberships Head to your Surfing Portal to enter events and courses Clinton Guest (NSW) posting a near perfect 9.93 Credits: ISA Day 4 of competition at the ISA World Longboard Championships has wrapped up overnight with all four Australian athletes delivering standout performances... North Shore Boardriders have officially claimed the title of Australia's best boardrider club securing national glory and ultimate bragging rights at the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final,.. HYUNDAI AUSTRALIAN BOARDRIDERS BATTLE GRAND FINAL PRESENTED BY NRMA INSURANCE IS ON AT BURLEIGH HEADS THIS WEEKEND Australia’s most exciting club surfing competition the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle.. Surfing Australia is excited to announce the appointment of Janine Allis to it’s Board of Directors. A trailblazing entrepreneur and passionate advocate for innovation and growth The 2025 Australian Para Surfing Titles and BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surf Championships Presented by Forward Ability Support are set to take over Byron Bay from March 23 - 30 An extraordinary display of community and connection is set to put Cronulla NSW on the global stage again this March as 1,000 individuals paddle out link arms and unite as one to break the record for the World’s.. StatesSNSWSQLDSVICSWASSASTAS Ballina Shire Council is working closely with emergency response agencies to monitor Cyclone Alfred and its potential impacts on our community there will be temporary closures across several Council facilities from today from 8am to 4pm with bin collections services proceeding Ballina Shire Council is postponing kerbside bin services for Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March 2025 Council will collect missed bins as soon as practicably possible with further updates to be provided when weather conditions have eased all flights to and from the airport are cancelled today and tomorrow Travellers should check directly with their airline for their flight status and to manage bookings The 4WD access to Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head is now closed due to dangerous beach conditions There are currently no lifeguard patrols on Ballina’s beaches and warnings are in place for abnormally high tides Residents are asked to please minimise their water use, through kitchen taps, showers, washing and toilet flushing. Wet weather events can place extra strain on the wastewater network. If residents experience problems with sewerage on their property, please call Council on 1300 864 444 If a tree is blocking a local road, call Council on 1300 864 444 or after hours on 6626 6954 Tree impacting power lines? Call Essential Energy on 132 080 Tree blocking your access (front door/driveway), threatening to fall on your property or driveway, roof damaged or leaking? Call SES on 132 500 For emergency assistance, contact the NSW SES on 132 500 If you are in immediate danger, call Triple Zero 000 Visit the Ballina Emergency Dashboard at emergency.ballina.nsw.gov.au Tune in to ABC North Coast (94.5 FM) for emergency broadcasts Follow NSW SES Ballina and Northern Rivers NSW SES on Facebook For road status updates visit www.livetraffic.com Download the Hazards Near Me app for real-time alerts A volunteer crew on board Marine Rescue NSW vessel Ballina 30 responded to a call for assistance from a distressed vessel with two people on board off Lennox Head early this morning Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Rodney Page said a fishing trawler reported it was taking on water and sinking approximately eight nautical miles (15kms) east of Lennox Head “In the early hours of this morning Marine Rescue Port Macquarie received a call from the skipper of a fishing trawler “The skipper advised the vessel was taking on water and experiencing engine failure “A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Ballina were deployed on board Ballina 30 just after 3.00am “BA 30 headed in darkness to the location to provide assistance,” Inspector Page said another call was received from the sinking vessel “Water had reached the deck forcing the two people on board to abandon ship “Wearing lifejackets they made their way safely into a life raft “BA 30 spotted lights and closed in to assist the two people were safely on board BA 30,” Inspector Page said As the sunken vessel is a navigational hazard Radio Operators at Marine Rescue Ballina have issued several Securites advising boaters in the region of the location of the vessel This incident underscores the importance of Marine Rescue NSW’s rigorous training often put to the test in the early morning hour and showcases the dedication of the organisation’s volunteers One of the largest real-time multi-agency search and rescue exercises (SAREX) to ever be held on the NSW coast has been labelled a success by Marine Rescue NSW A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Newcastle navigated darkness and a fast-flowing run-out tide overnight to rescue a stranded sailor four nautical miles (7.4 km) south of Nobbys Head Forgot your password? 6 July 2022):  Some of Australia’s best grommet surfers will prepare to go toe-to-toe and blow-for-blow when the Skullcandy Oz Grom Open pres by Vissla returns to Lennox Head this week.The six-day event will run from 7 July –12 July and will comprise of a World Surf League (WSL) sanctioned Pro Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) event as well as an elite competition for promising grommets in the Under 14 16 and 18 divisions. In a similar vein to preceding years a full spectrum of some of Australia’s best and most talented surfers are expected to compete in an attempt to claim a coveted title “As a grommet the Skullcandy event was one of the best events of the year and one that every single surfer aspired to win,” said former World Championship Tour surfer and Skullcandy Oz Grom Champion Macy Callaghan “The event always attracted some of the biggest names in international junior surfing and it gave us a solid indication of where the benchmark of performance was across the globe.” Skullcandy Oz Grom Open Event Director and Le-Ba Boardriders President Ben Beesley is elated to see the event return after a two-year-long hiatus due to Covid-19 “The Le-Ba Boardriders is so proud to be continuing to support and grow junior surfing by presenting an event of such high calibre not only from the local community but from around the world to Lennox Head to display the best of junior high-performance surfing After the crazy year that was 2020 and 2021 we are so excited to be able to support the local community and businesses with this world-class event.” Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden echoed Beesley’s sentiments “The Skullcandy Oz Grom Open has long been regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the world and we’re pumped to see it unfold on the beaches of Lennox Head and on the web for the world to view.” It is anticipated that the event will get underway by 7.30am each day Daily press packages will be sent out over the course of the event All event divisions will be broadcast live on skullcandyozgromopen.com.au For onsite media contact Ethan Smith on 0432 149 887 The 2022 Skullcandy Oz Grom Open presented by Vissla is proudly supported by Skullcandy Surfing Australia is pleased to announce that the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final presented by NRMA Insurance has been officially rescheduled to April 12-13 Surfing Australia can confirm that the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final presented by NRMA Insurance originally scheduled to take place on the Gold Coast from March 8-9 Surfing Australia is proud to announce the four talented athletes who will represent the nation as The Irukandjis at the 2025 ISA World Longboard Championships in Surf City Surfing Australia and NRMA Insurance have announced a new landmark partnership unveiling the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) presented by NRMA Insurance This collaboration cements NRMA Insurance’s role as.. We are excited to announce the 2025 Podium and Pathway Athletes of the Surfing Australia High Performance Program It is the core mission of Surfing Australia's High Performance Program to support Australian athletes.. The 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) season officially returns to action this week at Banzai Pipeline The event window runs from January 27 through to February 8.  Last year’s Pipeline Pro.. Hundreds of North Coast locals will hit the pavement next weekend – raising money to find a cure for a rare form of cancer The initiative inspired by Lennox head local Frankie Fitzgerald who passed away in 2022 at just 9-years-old If you’re visiting Yamba for a lazy beach holiday, it’s worth spending one of its endless sunny days taking a road trip from Yamba to Byron Bay. Traversing the North Coast of NSW will see you dropping into some of the most quintessentially Aussie towns with turquoise blue waters chowing down on classic hamburgers for your post-swim lunch and winding through rainforests high up in the hinterland Here’s our guide to the best places to stop on the drive from Yamba to Byron Bay Only a little off-route? Sure. Worth it? Absolutely. The ferry from Yamba to Iluka might take 30 minutes (and runs regularly every day of the week), but the drive isn’t too bad – less than an hour will land you in a town where time feels like it stopped in 1975. There’s one row of boutiques and cafes, but if you’re there after 11.30am you absolutely must visit Sedgers Reef Hotel’s bistro the outdoor seating is breezy and pet friendly and the interiors are so Australiana it hurts There’s also a particularly memorable experience to be had at Chez Basho Boatshed Cafe located on Charles Street right off the water as super authentic Japanese-inspired fare keeps locals smiling The team introduced a selection of cocktails to the menu in October 2024 so lunch is officially more festive than ever Nature lovers can get amongst their preferred poison as the Iluka Bluff Lookout and Iluka Rainforest Walking Track dish up exceptional vistas of the NSW coastline Following the path to Frazers Reef will also uncover a spectacular hidden beach Don’t miss any of it during your Yamba to Byron Bay journey Stray serves up coffee and indulgent breakfast plates Your next detour along a Yamba to Byron Bay expedition is Evans Head. Busier than Iluka but not as popular as nearby Lennox Head (more on that gem soon) and Yamba, Evans Head has a great surf break (hire a board at Evans Head Surf Shack during summer) and a laid-back feel If it’s lunch, punch 14 Oak Street into your Maps and prepare to salivate. Chippa is Evans Heads’ go-to fish-and-chippery and the fruits of its labour are downright delicious Think all the classics like a Fisherman’s Basket plus burgers and salads tossed with finesse Grab your board and head to the beach at Lennox Head Made famous when the Hemsworth brothers nabbed gigantic properties to lay the groundwork for ‘Hemsworth Hills’ just outside of town Lennox Head is a huge hit with surfers who cruise the coast looking for perfect breaks As a result of its frothy street cred, the town has plenty to offer tourists including stylish eateries like Shelter and Williams Street, nestled alongside feed-me stalwarts like Fishy Fishy which nails takeaway fish and chips Fine dining also makes waves around here with Baraka, home to Middle Eastern masterpieces, and Quattro Beachfront Italian mastering flavour-packed dishes and special-occasion ambience Meanwhile, the party force is strong over at Chido Cantina where Mexican-laced mayhem often attracts thick crowds Head up to Pat Morton Lookout during your Yamba to Byron Bay getaway to really soak up the region and pick up a handmade gelato from Lennox Gelato and Coffee Co before getting back on the road From Lennox Head you’ll want to wind into the Byron Bay Hinterland as opposed to following the coast. Additionally, Suffolk Park, right near Crystalbrook Byron, one of the best Byron Bay accommodation picks flowing with the same dense rainforest and hippie energy Grab a coffee and a pastry from The General Store while you peruse the locally sourced produce Take in the breathtaking Bundjalung Country hinterland of Byron Bay at Gaia Retreat & Spa If you have time (and extra cash) along your Yamba to Byron Bay adventure, book into the nearby Gaia Retreat & Spa tranquil surroundings and extensive self-care offerings will help you shed a year’s worth of stress Before you continue to your final destination descent, drop into the Newrybar Merchants for some retail therapy The quaint collective of killer boutiques is a haven for one-of-a-kind homewares Peruse the boutique shops along the main street of Bangalow Savvy travellers in search of a Byron experience along the Yamba to Byron Bay track without the fuss restaurants and the region’s signature luxe-boho shops Island Luxe and Rowie speak fluent fashion, while Our Corner Store will see you picking up everything from local produce to handmade mugs and plates You Beauty has turned regular pub classics into refined meals The restaurant scene overachieves too with You Beauty, slicking up your regular corner pub via ultra-refined dishes and sensational drinks, and Ciao, Mate! owned by renowned Melbourne chef Nick Stanton and lighting up a restored historical building BYO stretchy pants for the latter pick especially as seasonal pastas woodfired pizzas and traditional desserts fulfil universal Italian feasting dreams Eyes firmly fixed on the prize of caffeine? Zip straight to Butcher Baker where cafe life is expertly crafted Your Yamba to Byron Bay road trip has drawn to a close — but the fun’s only just beginning. If you’re arriving in the evening, head down to The Rails Hotel for a nightcap as there’s often a band playing in the outdoor bar If there’s still time for a swim, Wategos Beach (and the glamorous Raes on Wategos dining room destined for post-swim indulgence) is less busy on a late afternoon Park further up the hill and walk down as there are usually easier parallel parks along the side of the road than those in the car park Raes on Wategos is best for waterfront dining Keen to sample the newest kids on the block? Hotel Marvell has slam-dunk five-star perfection since its opening at the end of 2023, serving as one of the most luxe accommodation offerings in Byron Bay Additionally, it’s home to the Byron Bay Oyster Bay & Seafood Restaurant which opened in October 2024 and oozes big summer energy — the perfect reward for a road trip well-conquered This article was originally written by Melissa Mason with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams Melissa Mason is a freelance journalist who loves road tripping and car snacks she now writes travel and lifestyle content for a wealth of Australian titles like SMH as well as copywriting for international brands If she could be anywhere right now it would be lounging on a hammock at a tropical resort with a great romantic fantasy book and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" From spectacular sites with million-dollar water views to places to pull up your motorhome the best Yamba camping and Yamba caravan park picks always.. Whether you’re planning a full-on eating itinerary or just stopping through town the best Yamba restaurants provide delicious and diverse delights... if you were looking for a laid-back beach holiday in New South Wales Australian Traveller Media acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Country on which we live and work Lennox Head residents speaking to Inspector Mick Smith at the meeting at Lennox Head Cultural Centre LENNOX Head residents are working with local police in a bid to find solutions to address a spike in youth crime in the area Around 200 people attended a meeting organised by the Lennox Head Residents’ Association on Saturday night to discuss the issue LHRA president Geoff Wegg said the high turnout at Lennox Head Cultural Centre showed the degree of concern in the community following a recent spate of burglaries “A lot of people were there to hear how things have been dealt with,” he said “I think they were quite relieved to hear a lot of the offenders have been identified “None of them live in Lennox Head but they come from places like Casino Mr Wegg said Lennox Head’s population has grown substantially in recent years “There’s probably 7,500 people who now live in Lennox Head,” he said “It’s probably been seen by the criminal element as a bit of a soft target because people have been used to not locking their doors over the years or taking other security precautions but now it’s at the point that we have to.” Mr Wegg said the most important things people can do to protect their homes are to install security lights and cameras make sure they don’t leave their car keys in their vehicle He also urged people to download the WeWatch app in which users can report incidents and disturbances in real-time receive alerts and discuss them with neighbours to help keep the community safe Residents are also calling for the Federal Government to help fund the installation of CCTV cameras in the area and for an urgent review of bail laws Ocea Curtis is the 2024 North Coast Academy of Sport athlete of the Year A LENNOX Head surfer has been named the North Coast Academy of Sport’s athlete of 2024 after a standout year in competition Fifteen-year-old Ocea Curtis received the Darrel Chapman Memorial – NCAS Athlete of the Year award and the Indigenous Athlete of the Year award She represented Australia at the International Surfing Association World Junior Championships in El Salvador The academy’s awards night also celebrated the achievements of athletes Coach of the Year was awarded to Cass Notley for her leadership and development of athletes Charlie Ford and Koen Loader were recognised as Leaders of the Year while the Chairman’s Encouragement Award went to skateboarder Ella Ledingham for her potential in the sport North Coast Academy of Sport executive director D’Arcy Van den Bossch said their athletes coaches and managers could be proud of their efforts this year “We celebrate not only their success in competition but their growth as leaders and individuals,” Van den Bossch said “We are proud to support the North Coast’s next generation of athletes and our programs continue to grow stronger each year We can’t wait to meet our next sporting and community champions.” and Peter “Cuz” Kirkwood were named life members of the academy for their contributions to sport in the North Coast region praised the recipients for their impact on local sport “The dedication of our life members has shaped the academy into what it is today and passion have left an indelible mark on NCAS and it is our privilege to recognise their contributions.” In 2021 Council commenced preconstruction works for the North Creek Road and Bridge project between Forest Oak Boulevard in North Ballina and Skennars Head Road widening and raising of North Creek Road to make it less flood-prone provision of an adjacent new shared pedestrian/cycle path and construction of a new bridge across North Creek Council’s Roads Contributions Plan and Strategic Road Network modelling identifies this project as a required link to accommodate future traffic volumes generated by urban growth areas and to minimise existing congestion on roads between Lennox Head and Ballina The proposed new bridge will follow the same general alignment as the old North Creek bridge that burnt down in the 1970s See the resources section below for drawings that show the proposed alignment of the North Creek Road works and a typical cross-section of the pathway and new bridge This is a significant infrastructure project which requires significant planning approvals and investment before works can commence It's likely there will be many changes over coming years If planning approval is obtained with satisfactory consent conditions received The 26-year-old man picked up the adult eastern brown while cars were waiting for the snake to cross Ballina Street in Lennox Head, on NSW north coast, after 6.20pm on January 31. Adult eastern brown snake in a bin on the Lennox Head roadside after biting 26-year-old man (main image) and the snake released into the wild. Picture Surfside snake catcher Mark Badgery Members of the public had flagged down police to assist in stopping cars and moving the snake safely off the road but the 26-year-old leapt to action before officers could intervene. "Police had stopped traffic and radioed for a snake catcher to come to assist when a 26-year-old man grabbed the snake, which then bit him on the right thumb," NSW Police said. The snake was moved to a nearby plastic bin while police administered first aid. Officers applied pressure bandages, keeping the man still and calling for an ambulance, police said. He was treated by paramedics and taken to Lismore Base Hospital. The snake, confirmed by the catcher as an adult eastern brown, was safely relocated to nearby bushland. Surfside Snake Catcher Mark Badgery said the snake bite victim seemed "pretty calm" as he received medical treatment. But he urged members of the public to call a catcher instead of attempting to move a snake alone. "Monitor the snake. Don't take your eyes off it and call a snake catcher to come and relocate it," Mr Badgery said. "Definitely don't touch it, especially if you don't know what it is," he said. "And please don't kill snakes, it's unnecessary." Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy When you think of Lennox Head and its stunning surf beaches it might seem a world away from the country scene and line dancing But a troupe of ‘boot scooters’ from the town has impressed on the global stage – bringing home nine titles from the UK The 26-year-old man picked up the adult eastern brown while cars were waiting for the snake to cross Ballina Street in Lennox Head Adult eastern brown snake in a bin on the Lennox Head roadside after biting 26-year-old man (main image) and the snake released into the wild Picture Surfside snake catcher Mark Badgery Members of the public had flagged down police to assist in stopping cars and moving the snake safely off the road but the 26-year-old leapt to action before officers could intervene "Police had stopped traffic and radioed for a snake catcher to come to assist when a 26-year-old man grabbed the snake which then bit him on the right thumb," NSW Police said The snake was moved to a nearby plastic bin while police administered first aid keeping the man still and calling for an ambulance He was treated by paramedics and taken to Lismore Base Hospital confirmed by the catcher as an adult eastern brown Surfside Snake Catcher Mark Badgery said the snake bite victim seemed "pretty calm" as he received medical treatment But he urged members of the public to call a catcher instead of attempting to move a snake alone Don't take your eyes off it and call a snake catcher to come and relocate it," Mr Badgery said especially if you don't know what it is," he said When Chrystal Winfield was 10 years old, her mother, Bronwyn The 31-year-old was last seen in her Lennox Head home Her husband, Jon Winfield — the man Chrystal had always known as her father — reported her missing 11 days later.  Bronwyn has never been found. The 1993 investigation was found to have been mishandled, and a subsequent coronial inquest in 2002  determined Bronwyn's death occurred around the time she disappeared NSW Police announced a $100,000 reward to help solve what is now considered a cold case.  Jon continues to maintain his innocence.  Watch: The Ballarat community pays tribute to missing woman Chrystal never recovered from the devastating loss of her mother But that was just the beginning of a lifetime of pain for the now-41-year-old Chrystal was already grappling with the revelation that the man she had been living with all her life wasn't her biological father – something Bronwyn shared with her daughter shortly before she vanished.  Chrystal met her biological father when she turned 12 While he wasn't in a position to care for her the pair spoke daily and spent as much time together as they could often staying with his parents on school holidays.  taking Chrystal's younger half-sister with him Chrystal couldn't bring herself to leave Lennox Head While forever grateful for the love and support of her community the constant moving left the teenager feeling untethered and she longed for a place to call home.  and she lived there while completing school in Ballina she remained one of the kindest and most compassionate people they knew.  "I got Bell's Palsy when I was a teenager so half my face was completely paralysed," shares high school friend "Chrystal used to catch my school bus back to Lennox and during those trips she'd sit next to me and chat I remember it vividly because  she used to sit on my paralysed side and act as if it were nothing and all." relocating to Sydney to start her own business but a piece of her heart always remained in Lennox Head the place she hoped her mother would one day return to.  Chrystal's relationship with her biological father grew stronger and promised to focus more on herself and her family and soon she had married and built her dream home with her new husband.  For the first time since she could remember she felt as though her life was moving in the right direction.  And while becoming a mother was a dream come true for Chrystal the arrival of her baby brought back painful memories of her own mother.  combined with the isolation of raising a newborn during the height of the COVID pandemic sent Chrystal spiraling into severe post-natal depression Chrystal's marriage broke down and she lost her home."  "Chrystal has endured things most of us can't even imagine trusting person we knew as kids," says Rennie.  Chrystal was in the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta when she was approached by a man Chrystal had recently spoken on journalist Hedley Thomas' podcast which investigated her mother's disappearance.  Chrystal was particularly vulnerable and fragile.  Chrystal had experienced so much bad luck and trauma that the scammers were able to convince her they could lift what they perceived to be a curse on her life.  She had been living with pain and heartache for decades when the scammers told Chrystal that they could lift the shadow she felt had been hanging over her for decades she made the irrational decision to trust them." until eventually they requested she supply $300,000 worth of gold bullion which they would bless and return to her.  she realised it had been switched for concrete and she had been scammed," Rennie says.  money she had set aside to build a home for herself and her son When Chrystal's school friends – including Rennie – found out what happened to her setting up a Go Fund Me page to try to recoup some of her savings.  "The majority of donations so far are from ex-students of Southern Cross High School but we hope to expand on that," says Rennie.  but together we can return Chrystal's savings to her," Rennie writes via the Go Fund Me page "We can restore her dream of building her own tiny home and a community of tiny homes to support people struggling with the cost of living And we can give her son the lifetime of happy memories that Chrystal was denied." scamming has reached "epidemic" proportions globally - whether it be romance scams fake emails - we are surrounded with it.   Making matters worse is the associated shame that often comes with being scammed meaning many victims are too embarrassed to report it.  I am receiving at least a dozen phishing emails and telephone calls daily.  This is where the scammers try to put fear into the lives of ordinary Australians." Kylee says you'll find scammers lurking almost anywhere in the hope of finding a vulnerable victim.  wanting to make their financial position better wanting to make a better life for their family.   "A scammer's job is to manipulate and deceive their victims.  You indicate an area in your life that is sad and vulnerable often luring victims into trusting them over a period of time before pulling the rug from beneath them.  a person is mustering up a lot of strength during a vulnerable period to make a positive goes and finds a source to assist her.  Making that first call to someone shows a lot of strength unfortunately that's when the scammers pounce."    Kylee says many people believe it won't happen to them "We are all capable of being a victim and we all need to accept and alter our negative language around victims of scams," says Kylee "I purchased something on Facebook three years ago and I have never received the item.  Though it only cost $29 a scammer's primary technique is subtle coercion over a period of time.  fixing an issue.  The scammers will use persuasive language to ensure they get what they want to obtain all the financial wealth from their victim." as often scammers are difficult to track down "We need to educate everyone on this type of crime," says Kylee "Banks are improving the way they look at scams within their banking portal.  It is up to us to take a step back and investigate before we hand over monies." I would not engage with anyone," she says.  we are living in a world now where trusting someone on face value needs to be examined thoroughly.   "Scammers are skilled in persuasive language and with Chrystal they knew she was looking for closure.  The scammers will use the exact words and ideas that you are searching for.  They will always have the right answer.  A scammer will never say no and you will feel that you have found your ' knight in shining armour' who will be able to solve your issues." Kylee believes part of the problem is the shame associated with being scammed the subsequent silence only serving to empower and embolden perpetrators "Share your story with others.  There is so much shame and embarrassment associated with this if we can talk about it in a positive light